Method and apparatus for multiple printing on photographic raw stock



S. JEFFEE ETAL 3,533,695 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING on Oct. 13, 1970 PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW s'rocx l4 Shee ts-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 23, .1968

S.JEFFEE ETA!- 3,533,695 METHQD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING ON v Oct. 13, 1970 PHOTOGRAPHIG RAW STOCK l4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. gs, 1968 S. JEFFEE ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING Oct. 13, 1910 PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW STOCK 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 23, 1968 m bri Oct. 13, 1970 s. JEFFEE ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING ON PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW STOCK l4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 23, 1968 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 s. JEFFEE ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW STOCK Oct. 13 1970 Filed Sept.

Oct. 13, 1970 s. JEFFEE ETAL 3,533,695

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING 0N PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW STOCK Filed Sept. 23, 19.8

l4 Sheets- Sheet 6 I'Ib'.3

Oct. 13, 1970 s. JEFFEE ETA!- METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING 0N Filed Sept. 23, 1968 PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW STOCK l4 Sheets-Sheet 7 S.JEFFEE ETAL, 3,533,695 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING ON 7 PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW STOCK Filed Sept. 23, 1968 14 Sheets-Sheet a 590 354 394 39 35a /02 FIG-l2v 4/6 4/2 95 m5 :396 f 9 H! A Oct. 13, 1970 s. JEFFEE ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE 3,533,695 PRINTING on PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW STOCK l4 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Sept. 23, 1968 Oct. 13, 1970 s. JEFFEE HAL PARATUS FOR MUL'I'I v 3,533,695 METHOD AND M PLE PRINTING 0N N PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW STOCK Filed Sept. 23, 1968' 14 Sheets-Sheet 1O 3 in ww a x5 M] Qu HUHHHIMUHGIUI M I II n J;

2. :nhHH. NH aux u 2: ll

wwm $63 l in e wwwk M v n .7 ////////////I/// Oct. 13, 1970 JEFFEE EI'AL 3,533,695 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING on rsnoz'osmuruc RAW s'rocx 1 Filed Sept. 23, 1968 14 Sheets- Sheet 15 b nucuuuu F uufiunun kwsmkkiw E50 D n QAQQ Oct. 13, 1970 s. JEFFEE ETAL 3,533,695

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING 0N PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW STOCK F/G. 25 I United States Patent Oflice 3,533,695 Patented Oct. 13 1970 3,533,695 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING ON PHOTOGRAPHIC RAW STOCK Saul Jetfee, Scarsdale, N.Y., and John J. Kowalak, River llijzde, N.J., assignors to Movielab, Inc., New York,

Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 680,134,

Nov. 2, 1967, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 641,079, Mar. 20, 1967, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 463,301, June 11, 1965. This application Sept. 23, 1968, Ser. No.

Int. Cl. G03b 27/12 US. Cl. 355109 30 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Several techniques and devices are shown for printing from movie film negatives onto photographic raw stock and in particular techniques and devices for shifting the negative and/or raw stock laterally relative to one another so that the negative can be used on a plurality of parallel strips on the raw stock after which the raw stock can be slit to obtain a plurality of positive films which are developed and deposited on separate reels for separate use. According to one described technique, the shifting is accomplished by feeding the negative or the raw stock through a looped path or spiral path whereby the lateral shifting is effected. According to another technique described hereinunder, skewed rollers are employed to shift the negative or raw stock relative to each other. Still another technique involves skewing one of these materials relative to the other by using a loose section. The techniques are first developed diagrammatically in the drawing and specification and then a particular construction of a machine is described in which numerous features appear. One of these features is the provision of special tensioning means which tension the negative and raw stock upstream of driving forces in order to prevent damage to the film and to provide for an exact printing despite the shifting and taking into account the fact that the negative can be run in both forward and reverse directions. Another feature is that two negatives can be employed such as one negative for picture images and a second negative for soundtracks. The disclosure also describes techniques for running the negative repeatedly along an endless path.

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 680,134 rfiled 'Nov. 2, 1967, now Pat. No. 3,418,050, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 641,079 filed Mar. 20, 1967, now Pat. No. 3,379,111, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 463,301 filed June 11, 1965 now abandoned.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The method of the invention involves printing multiple images on photographic film raw stock from a single picture negative, the raw stock being at least twice as wide as the negative. This method comprises feeding the raw stock continuously along a predetermined path, guiding the negative into juxtaposition with the raw stock at two separate stations by guiding the negative past one of the stations and then shifting the negative and raw stock relatively and transversely of said path and then guiding the same past the next of the stations, printing from the negative onto the raw stock being eifected at each of the stations.

The apparatus of the invention comprises guide and driving means for guiding photographic raw stock along a predetermined path, first and second exposure means spaced both along the path, and guide and driving means for guiding a negative into juxtaposition with the raw stock and said first and second exposure means. Means may be provided between the first and second exposure means to shift the raw stock and negative relative to one another and transversely of said path whereby to provide for multiple printings on the raw stock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the methods and apparatus of the invention according to one preferred embodiment thereof;

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a continuation of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a modification of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of an apparatus embodying the invention and providing for bringing two negatives into juxtaposition with photographic raw stock at respective exposure or printing stations;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the control panel of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of a linkage system employed to control tensioning means used in the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view illustrating the exposure zones and shifting means for one of the negatives and associated raw stock in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 7;

.FIG. 9 is a top plan view corresponding to FIG. 7 for the second of the negatives illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view on enlarged scale of a detail of FIG. 4 included in the guiding portion of the structure of FIG. 4 and seen in the direction of arrows 11 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a view of a shifting roller employed in FIG. 4 and seen in the direction of arrows 12 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a view of a second shifting roller as appears in the direction shown by the arrows 13 in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 are views on enlarged scale of the details of tensioning means employed in the apparatus of FIG. 4, FIG. 15 being a sectional view taken along lines 15--15 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 17 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 illustrating another embodiment for reversible drive;

FIG. 18 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 relative to the embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows a detail of FIGS. 17 and 18;

FIG. 20 is a view corresponding to FIG. 17 for reversed driving of the negative and raw stock;

FIG. 21 is a view corresponding to FIG. 18 for the reversed drive;

FIG. 22 is a view corresponding to FIG. 19 for the reversed drive;

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic illustration of the overall procedure of the invention; and

FIGS. 24 and 25 show variations of FIGS. 17-22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION This invention relates to methods and apparatus for printing on photographic raw stock to prepare a plurality of separately useable prints. More particularly, this invention relates to apparatus and methods for shifting the relative positions of a negative and photographic raw stock transversely of one another in order to permit a multiple printing of parallel images from the negative onto the associated raw stock.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved methods and apparatus which will permit printing from a standard single line picture image or track negative in a double width or other such multiple width raw stock or the like by first enabling a printing in one position and then a successive printing in a second position in the same direction of movement of the raw stock.

For example, in the case of a 16 mm. picture negative, the negative might initially be employed to print in a first position and would then be shifted laterally to print onto a second parallel strip on the raw stock, the negative possibly being shiftedthrough still additional positions which would be determined by the width of the raw stock material employed. Alternatively, the raw stock can be shifted relative to the negative.

In accordance with its principal objective, the invention contemplates a method of printing multiple parallel images on photographic film and raw stock from a single negative, the raw stock being at least twice as wide as the negative, the method comprising feeding the raw stock continuously and uni-directionally along a predetermined path and guiding the negative into juxtaposition with the raw stock at two separate stations by guiding this negative past one of the stations and then shifting the negative or raw stock or both transversely of said path and guiding the same past the next of the stations, printing being effected from the negative onto the raw stock at each of the said stations. The raw stock is subsequently developed and separately wound on independent reels.

According to the invention, the shifting can be effected through a helical course. Alternatively, the invention contemplates that the negative or raw stock can be passed through a course having reversed skews therein or through course in which the material is loosely held and shifted.

According to still a further feature of the invention, it is contemplated that the length of the path of the raw stock between the stations be compensated to account for the shifting of the negative and to align the images printed on the raw stock trasversely relative to each other.

In further keeping with the invention, there is contemplated an application of tension to the film and raw stock in such a manner as to avoid damage to the film despite the shifting and provide the accurate registration.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In F'IGS. 1 and 2 the raw stock strip is indicated at and is constituted by a single continuous strip of photographic film raw stock originating at a source 12 diagrammatically indicated and received by a film takeup mechanism 14 also diagrammatically indicated.

Operatively associated therewith is a picture negative or negative strip 16, as well as a second negative strip 18, which provides the soundtrack associated with the film sequence on the first negative 16.

Negative strip 16 originates at source 20 and is taken up by take-up mechanism 22, whereas negative strip 18 originates at source 24 and is taken up by receiving device 26.

Strips 16 and 18 may preferably be of equal width but are not necessarily so related. These strips are, however, of lesser width than raw stock 10 so that each strip can be juxtaposed against the raw stock 10 in a plurality of parallel alignments in order to effect the printing of multiple parallel images on the raw stock 10.

It will, of course, be appreciated that it is desirable that a soundtrack be provided adjacent and in operative association with each sequence of images generated from the picture negative 16 and the technique for effecting this will be readily understood from the disclosure which follows hereinunder.

Relative to the picture negative 16, the raw stock 10 is driven along a predetermined and continuous path by guide and driving devices 28 and 30 on the first hand and subsequently by guide and driving devices 32 and 34 which engage the raw stock in conventional manner, as will be well known to those skilled in the art.

Between the sets of guide and driving devices 28 and 30 on the one hand and 32 and 34 on the other, there is positioned a further guiding device 36 which engages the raw stock 10 to serve a purpose which will hereinafter be indicated in greater detail.

Operatively associated with the picture negative 16 directly are guide and driving devices 38 and 40 on the one hand and 42 and 44 on the other hand. These devices serve to drive the negative strip 16 into juxtaposition with the raw stock 10 at spaced exposure stations generally indicated at 46 and 48, whereat exposure devices 50 and 52 expose the raw stock to the images on the picture negative 16 at stations which are spaced from one another longitudinally along the film as well as transversely of the path of the raw stock.

Stated otherwise, and by way of example, the strip 16 passes adjacent the raw stock 10 at the back half of th latter at station 46, whereas the strip 16 passes adjacent the raw stock 10 at the front half of the latter at station 48.

To provide for transversely or laterally shifting the negative 16 to accommodate the transverse displacement of the exposure stations, the negative 16 is shifted laterally by guiding devices 54 and 56. These devices 54 and 56 constitute a means for shifting the picture negative transversely of the path of the raw stock by passing the picture negative through a helical loop 58, having an axis which is transverse to the path of the raw stock 10, said loop 58 being of one or more turns as is necessary, and providing for a lateral or transverse shift of said negative 16. Where the raw stock is looped, the minimum loop diameter to avoid damaging the emulsion is about two inches. This minimum diameter is also applicable to looping the negative to avoid damaging the same.

From the above it will be observed that the technique of the invention involves guiding a negative into juxtaposition with raw stock at spaced and sequential exposure stations by guiding the negative past one of the stations and then shifting the negative laterally or transversely of the path of the raw stock by passing the stri along a helical course having an axis transverse to the path of the raw stock and then guiding the negative past the next of the related exposure stations.

In further accordance with the invention, the strips of images which are printed in parallel relation on the raw stock 10 are preferably transversely aligned so that scene changes, titles, and so forth are aligned and can be dealt with, with facility. The aligning of the adjacent parallel strips is effected by means of the guide 36, which alters the length of raw stock between the adjacent and sequential exposure stations to compensate for the length of the helical loop 58. Thus, where the loop 58 is made larger, the device 36 is adjusted to increase the length of the raw stock passed between stations 46 and 48 so as to provide for aligning the parallel strips of images which are printed on said raw stock.

The raw stock 10 passes continuously into the second phase, whereat is employed the soundtrack negative 18, and in the second phase of the apparatus are employed guide and driving devices 60, 62, 64, and 66, which engage and drive the raw stock 10 in a manner described above. Similarly there is associated with the raw stock a further guiding device 68, the purpose of which is to ad just the length of the raw stock between exposure stations and 72, as has been described hereinabove.

Operatively associated with the soundtrack negative 18 are guide and driving devices 74, 76, 78 and 80, the purpose of which is similar to the devices 38, 40, 42 and 44 described above.

It will be understood that the details of the guide and driving devices are conventional, and well known to those skilled in the art, so that a detailed description thereof is not essential to an understanding of the invention.

As with the first phase of the apparatus, there are provided guides 82 and 84, the purpose of which is to pass negative strip 18 along a helical path of one turn .or more, this in turn providing for the lateral shift of the negative so that parallel adjacent strips of images can be printed on the raw stock 10. The raw stock and the negative strips 16 and 18 can be driven in synchronism by conventional means.

In addition it will be noted that the use of a helical loop is merely one form of providing an inclined path for the negatives employed with the row stock, the inclination providing for the lateral or transverse shifting of the negatives relative to said raw stock.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modification of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the inclined path is provided by means of a skewed roller 86 which, in cooperation with for example roller 78', presents a reversibly skewed path which enables the associated negative to be shifted laterally or transversely of the path of the raw stock 10.

It follows from the description above relative to the helical loop that the skewed path provided by guide or roller 86 will also permit a multiple printing of images on the raw stock as is contemplated within the scope of the invention.

From what has been stated above, it will be appreciated that there is provided in accordance with the invention a method of printing multiple parallel images on photographic film raw stock from a single negative or two such negatives, the raw stock being wider than the said negatives and the method comprising feeding the raw stock continuously and uni-directionally along a predetermined path while guiding the negative or negatives in juxtaposition with the row stock at two separate stations by guiding the negative past one of the stations and then shifting the negative transversely of the path and then guiding the negative past the next of said stations.

It will be further appreciated that the invention contemplates that the negative be shifted by passing the same on a path which is inclined relative to that of the raw stock, such as by passing the negative through a helical course or along a path having reversed skews therein.

As has been indicated hereinabove, a detailed embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4-19, where-- in appears an apparatus generally comprising a base 100 upon which is mounted a frame 102. A source of raw stock is indicated at 104, the raw stock 106 being received by a take-up indicated generally at 108. The raw stock in this situation is being fed in the direction indicated by arrow 110, this being normally termed the reverse direction. When the raw stock being run in the reverse direction 110 is exhausted, an alternative supply and take-up are employed for operating the device in forward direction. Such a supply is indicated generally at 112 'with the take-up mechanism therefor being indicated at 114. Under the condition pertaining to forward operation of the apparatus, the raw stock will follow a path substantially identical with the employed for the reverse operation but being'a mirror image thereof, the raw stock being driven from a supply 112 to take-up device 114.

Printing or exposure stations are generally indicated at 116, 118, 120, and 122. Exposure stations 116 and 118 are intended for one negative such as, for example, the negative containing picture images, whereas the exposure stations 120 and 122 are intended for a second negative having thereon, for example, a soundtrack. The first negative 124, having thereon the picture images, is supplied by a source 126 mounted on a linkage system 128 and with which cooperates a bracket system 130 which prevents undesired lateral displacement of the negative on its spool. The negative travels in the direction indicated by arrow 132 and is received by a take-up roll 134 mounted on a linkage system 136 and with which cooperates a pivoted bracket device 138 which assures that the negative being wound on the take-up 134 is not laterally displaced off the same.

Similarly, a supply 140 and take-up device 142 are provided for soundtrack negative 144 which travels in the direction indicated by arrow 146.

The negatives and raw stock are guided into juxtaposition at exposure stations 116, 118, and 122 by guiding and driving means including but not limited to a system of tension applying rollers, a pair of which are indicated, by way of example, at 148. This guiding and driving system, moreover, comprises a plurality of sprocket systems, one of which is generally indicated by way of example at 150. In addition, and as a characteristic feature of the invention, there are employed shifting rollers generally indicated at 152 and 154. The details of these various members will be described more particularly hereinafter.

The apparatus of FIG. 4 moreover comprises a control panel generally indicated at 156 and a lighting control generally indicated at 158. Since the lighting control will not be described in greater detail hereinafter, it will now be noted that any commercially available system will be employed which provides for controlling, for example, light magnitudes and which may provide for the separate control of the magnitudes of red, green or blue light for the printing of colored films. For example, control knobs 160, 162 and 164 are shown for controlling red, green and blue lights respectively in unit 158 for exposure station 116, Whereas control knobs 166, 168 and 170 are shown for controlling red, green and blue lights respec tively for exposure station 118. Similar controls may be provided in respect of exposure stations 120 and 122, although since these stations will generally be related to a soundtrack negative, the same detailed controls as are employed with respect to stations 116 and 118 will not normally be required for stations 120 and 122.

Also indicated in FIG. 4 are automated controls 172 and 174. The details of these automated control systems do not directly pertain to the instant invention and it is sufficient to note that whereas the manual control knobs -170 noted hereinabove provide for manual control of the lighting, this lighting can be and preferably is controlled during the running of the apparatus by these automated control systems which include perforated control tapes 176 and 178 which are actuated by cues on the negative to set up the optimum lighting conditions for the sequence of scenes being printed from the negative of supply 126 onto raw stock 106.

In addition to the above generally indicated features of the invention, there are also provided cleaning devices, one of which is indicated generally by way of example at 180. In addition, a plurality of supplemental guiding means are provided, one of which is generally indicated by way of example at 182.

The principal object of the invention is achieved, by way of review, by feeding the raw stock 106 along a determinable path and by selectively juxtaposing negatives 124 and 144 with said raw stock adjacent exposure stations 116, 118, 120, and 122. In the embodiment being described, the negative is laterally stationary and it is the raw stock 106 Which is laterally shifted. Thus, after being juxtaposed with negative 124 at station 116, raw stock 106 is shifted laterally by shifting device 152 before being again juxtaposed with the negative 124 at station 118. In effect, this brings the negative against the raw stock at spaced parallel strips so that two parallel printings result. In conjunction with the above, negative 144 is brought against raw stock 106 at one position represented by exposure station 120 and the raw stock is then laterally shifted by shifting device 154 before the raw stock and negative 144 are again juxtaposed at exposure station 122.

It will be understood that the displacement occurring between the two printed strips as between stations 116 and 118 is relatively unimportant but that it is possible to arrange it so that the two identical series of images are printed on the raw stock in perfect alignment. More important, however, is the alignment of the soundtrack from negative 144 with the picture images resulting from negative 124 since the sound track and picture images must be perfectly aligned to obtain the optimum printed product. To this end it is necessary to stagger negative 144 by a predetermined amount with respect to the running of negative 124. It has been found possible to effect this by means of a synchronization pin 184 whereby the negative 144 at the outset is provided with a cue which is matched with the synchronization pin 184 to provide a loose loop, the take-up of which must be effected before additional negative 144 is drawn from supply 140. The taking up of this initially provided loose loop offsets the running of negative 144 relative to negative 124 so that the soundtrack will be perfectly matched with picture images.

Provision is made in the apparatus of FIG. 4 for the threading of the raw stock and the negatives and for the tensioning of the raw stock and negatives as required for running in both forward and reverse directions. The control for this is indicated at 186 and will be discussed in greated detail hereinafter.

The control panel 156 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5, it being seen that rheostats 188 and 190 are provided with meters 192 and 194 whereby the operating voltages of the apparatus are controlled. Lights 196, 198 and 200 indicate whether the machine is adapted for forward or reverse operation or for threading. Control 186 is pivoted about an axis 202 to control a linkage system as will hereinafter be described in greater detail. On and off switches for the electrical power are indicated at 204 and 206 with reverse and forward switches being indicated at 208 and 210. The running of the apparatus can be initiated and stopped by switch 212.

Control 186 also appears in FIG. 6 whereat is indicated pivot 214 which is fixed but rotatable as indicated by arrow 216. Link 218 is mounted on pin 214 and is rotatable therewith. This link is connected by pivot pin 220 to elongated link 222 in turn connected by pin 224 to link 226. Link 22.6 is connected to fixed but rotatable pin 228 to which is connected link 230 for movement in the directions indicated by arrow 232. Link 230 is connected by pin 234 to generally horizontal links 236 and 238 at the ends of which are respectively provided pivot pins 240 and 242. To the pin 240 is connected a link 244 on which is mounted bracket 246 having a pin 248 therein. This bracket is connected via pivotal links 250 and 252 to links 254 and 256 respectively. At the end of link 256 is a fixed by rotatable pivot 258 and at the end of link 256 is provided a fixed but rotatable pivot 260. These pivots 258 and 260 are rotatable in order to control related members as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.

In a similar manner, pivots 262 and 264 are controlled by links 266 and 268 and 270' and 272 respectively, these being connected by a pin 274 to a bracket 276 mounted on a link 278 coupled to link 280. Link 282 indicates an extension of the system to still further pivots.

Also indicated in FIG. 6 are fixed but rotatable pivots 284 and 286 controlled by links 288 and 290 and 292 and 294 respectively. Pivots 289 and 291 are also shown and are respectively controlled by links 296 and 298 and links 300 and 302.

Link 304 intervenes between pivots 284 and 286 on the one hand and pivots 289 and 291 on the other, there being also provided brackets 306 and 308 having pivots 310 and 312 respectively. Pivots 248 and 310 and those of brackets 276 and 312 are fixed but rotatable. Link 314 is shown to indicate the extension of the system to still further fixed but rotatable pivots.

The operation of the aforegoing link system will be referred to in greater detail hereinafter. It is important however, to note at this point that with each of the various terminal pivots noted hereinabove there is associated a roller such as indicated by way of example at 316 and a second roller (not shown in FIG. 6) associated with this first roller to cooperate therewith to provide tension or in the related negative or strip or raw stock. It is also important to note that the tension when applied is applied upstream of the related driving device.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 appear the frame 102 of the ap paratus and the raw stock 106 and negative 124. In FIGS. 9 and 10 appear the frame 102, raw stock 106, and negative 144. Exposure stations 116 and 118 and 120 and 122 are also shown in respective of FIGS. 7-10.

Referring to FIG. 7 by way of example, it is seen that raw stock 106 includes three rows 316, 318, and 320 of sprocket holes which extend longitudinally along the entire strip of raw stock. These rows effectively divide the raw stock into two strips 322 and 324 which correspond in width to the width of the negatives 124 and 1 44 and on each of which strips the negatives 124 and 144 will both be printed. Considering first and solely negative 124, this will be printed in strip 322 and will also be printed in strip 324. Negative 144 will also be printed with its soundtrack in correspondence to the two printings of negative 124 on both of strips 322 and 324.

As appears by way of example in FIG. 9, for example, the negative 144 travels a straight line and is not laterally displaced. The raw stock 106 is, however, laterally displaced by the shifting device 154. The same relationship applies in respect of shifting device 152 in FIG. 7. More particularly, the raw stock 196 is shifted laterally by an amount corresponding to the width of negative 124 in FIG. 7 and is shifted laterally in an opposite direction by the width of negative 144, as shown in FIG. 9 at 154.

Referring in greater detail to FIGS. 7 and 8, the exposure station 116, which is conventional and provides for the transmission of light through the negative to the row stock, comprises a drive sprocket 326 which engages the sprocket holes in the raw stock and negative film to drive the same through the exposure station in perfectly aligned relationship. Sandwiching the raw stock and negative against the sprocket 326 is a roller 328. To this roller is connected a lever 330 having a rod 332 connected thereto. By these means, the roller 328 can be manually adjusted on its shaft 336 in support block 334 for movement away from the sprocket 326 to facilitate threading.

Further illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 are tension means 338 and 340, the details of which will be hereinafter indicated in greater detail. Similarly, the details of the idler guide means will be hereinafter rnade apparent.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show tensioning devices 342 and 344 as well as guiding device 346. The details of tensioning maens 342 and 344 correspond to those of tensioning device 338, as disclosed hereinafter. Similarly, the details of shifting device 154 correspond to the details of shifting device 152 and the details of guiding device 346 correspond to those of guiding device 150, also referred to in greater detail hereafter.

More particularly, the details of guiding device 150 and therefore of guiding device 346 appear in FIG. 11 wherein is seen the frame 102. Mounted on the frame 102 is a support 348 on which is mounted a vertical supporting member 350. A pivot pin 352 is installed in member 350 and supports through the intermediary of vertical member 354 a horizontal lever 356. Normally lever 356 is retained in the position shown in solid lines by means of leaf spring 358. However, the lever 356 may be tilted upwardly to the position indicated at 360 upon manual engagement and against the force of said spring 358. This tilted condition facilitates threading.

A shaft 362 is mounted in member 354 and it supports a spool 364 having end flanges 366 and 368 and central flange 370. The spool sandwiches raw stock 106 against sprocket 372 having annular sets of teeth 374 and 376 and a central set of teeth 378. The sprocket 372 may either idle on shaft 380 or may be driven through shaft 382 provided that the necessary synchronism is provided in respect of the driving sprocket of the corresponding exposure station.

The characteristic details of the elements of the shifting device 152 appear in FIGS. 12 and 13, these details also constituting the details of shifting device 154.

In FIG. 12 is illustrated a roller 384 having end flanges 386 and 388 at the bases of truncated conical sections 390 and 392. These control sections are coaxial and are joined together at the narrow portions, as indicated at 394. Roller 384 idles on shaft 396 at the end of which is a ball 398 accommodated in a socket 400 in support 402. Support 40-2 is in turn mounted on a rod 404 connected by a nut 406 and bolt 408 to frame 102. A conical recess 410 is provided which permits a limited universal-type adjustment of shaft 396, ball 398 rotating in socket 400. Set screws are indicated generally at 412 and 414 to enable shaft 396 to be adjusted and locked in position. This adjustment is generally empirically determined to retain raw stock 106 against flange 388, a minimum contact being desired as between the raw stock and said spool 384 to enable the shifting to be effective without stressing the raw stock and to avoid scratching of the raw stock.

More particularly, the axis 416 of spool 384 will generally assume an angle 418 to the horizontal or, in other words, to the normal plane of the raw stock, which angle generally runs from about to 40 degrees. The axis 416 will moreover lie within a range of about 10 to 40 degrees relative to an imaginary line transverse to the raw stock. The base angle of the conical sections indicated at 420 will preferably run within a range of about 50-80 degrees.

Whereas the raw stock 106 runs beneath the roller 384 of FIG. 12, it runs above the roller 422 of FIG. 13. This latter roller comprises end flanges 424 and 426 of annular configuration and comprises further truncated conical sections 428 and 430 of the same configuration as the corresponding sections in FIG. 12. Similarly, roller 422 is mounted on a shaft 432 adjustable by ball and socket means 434 supportedlby support 436 on frame 102.

As appears by Way of example rollers 384 and 422 are inclined relative to the raw stock and as well relative to one another. The upstream roller of this pair of rollers functions to shift the raw stock from, for example, a horizontal plane to a skewed plane whereas the downstream of these rollers functions to return the raw stock to the horizontal plane from the skewed plane. The ad justability feature of these rollers is significant in adjusting the same to the speed and nature of the raw stock involved.

FIGS. 14-16 show the details of the tensioning devices related to the linking system of FIG. 6 and generally heretofore indicated at 148 in FIG. 4. FIG. 14 shows the condition of the tensioning devices desired for a threading operation whereas FIGS. and 16 shows the conditions desired for reverse and forward operating conditions respectively. FIG. 15 in particular corresponds to the condition of the tensioning means under the conditions obtaining in FIGS. 7 and 9, and it may be generally assumed that reference characters 148 and 388 identify corresponding devices. Before a detailed discussion is undertaken in respect of the apparatus in FIGS. l4-16 and for purposes of orientation with the linking system of FIG. 6, it will now be remarked that the rollers 316 of FIG. 6 finds it counterpart or equivalent in the form of rollers 436 and 438 in FIGS. 14-15.

The apparatus of FIGS. 14-16 comprises fixed but rotatable pins 440 and 442 on which rollers 436 and 438 are respectively mounted. Supporting members 444 and 446 are respectively mounted on pins 440 and 442 for being pivoted thereby. Supporting member 444 is provided with an opening 448 and with a slot 450. Supporting member 446 is provided with an opening 452 and with a slot 454. A pin 456 is accommodated in opening 448 and a pin 458 is accommodated in opening 452. A leaf spring 460 mounted on a support 462,(see also FIG. 7) functions to confine pin 456 in opening 448. Similarly, a leaf spring 464 mounted on a support 466 functions to confine pin 458 in opening 452. Supports 462 and 466 are fixed on frame 102. Rollers 468 and 470 are respectively and rotatably mounted on pins 468 and 458.

A member 472 is pivotable on a pin 474 fixed on support member 462. Pivotal member 472 includes a pin 476 which rides in slot 450. In the lower part of the structure is provided a pivotal member 478 having a pin 480 which rides in slot 454, pivotal member 478 being pivoted on pin 482 fixed to supporting member 466.

From what has been described with respect to the linking system of FIG. 6, it appears that pivots 440 and 442, as well as the remainder of the corresponding pivots throughout the system, are pivotable under control of control member 186. As pivots 440 and 442 are pivoted, they carry with them pivots 456 and 458, thereby changing the positions of rollers 468 and 47 0 relative to rollers 436 and 438. The new stock or negative film, following a serpentine path between these pairs of rollers, thereby follows a more or less tortuous path between these pairs of rollers and therefore has a greater or lesser tension (perhaps none) applied thereto. This tension may generally be indicated by the angles shown respectively at 484 in FIG. 14 and 486 in FIG. 16, this angle being equal to zero in FIG. 15, all angles being considered in respect of a horizontal plane passing through the axis of pin 440 and indicated at 488 in FIG. 15. The above function of adjusting tension is however not only the function performed by the apparatus in FIGS. 14-16. More particularly, in FIG. 14, for the threading operation, pivotal member 442 is caused to pivot about pin 474 to engage either directly or through the intermediary of spring 460 against pin 466 whereupon to lock roller 468 against rotation. Similaly, pivotal member 478 is brought directly or through the intermediary spring 464 against pin 458 to lock roller 470 against rotation. In this manner, and for the threading opeation, the pivotal motion of pins 440 and 442 are employed to lock rollers 468 and 470 in fixed position. It is to be noted that this locking function is not achieved under the conditions illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 wherein pivotal members 472 and 478 are not engaged with the pins of the respective rollers.

FIGS. 17-22 correspond to FIGS. 7 and 8 with FIGS. 19 and 22 showing a detail. These figures illustrate a reversable apparatus in which two prints are made on raw stock from a negative travelling first in one direction and then two more prints are made on fresh raw stock with the negative travelling in the opposite direction. In this embodiment of the invention, the helical loop and positive guide rollers are omitted and the lateral shift takes place in free loop or loose section F (FIG. 18) or G (FIG. 20).

This embodiment of the invention deals with a problem also present in the other embodiments but which is emphasized in embodiment of FIGS. 17-22 due to the use of the free loops. This problem involves perfecting registration of the negative and raw stock while at the same time avoiding deterioration of these materials especially adjacent the sprocket holes.

The overcoming of this problem is achieved by apply ing tension to the materials upstream of the driving forces applied (e.g., by sprocket 326) at the respective exposure stations. Thus, for example, with the negative and raw stock travelling from right to left as in FIGS. 17-19, tension is applied by upstream set of rollers 340a and 341a whereas, with the reversed direction of the negative, rollers 339a and 338a become the upstream rollers and are those through which the tension is applied. In both cases, the complementary set of rollers symmetrically arranged on the opposite side of the drive are controlled to applied minimal or no tension. Control of the rollers is effected such as by the linkage system of FIG. 6.

In FIGS. 17-22, after each pass or running of the negative, fresh raw stock is threaded through the apparatus for the next pass. Use is made of triple rank roller 150a having three sets of sprocket teeth which accommodate the shifting of the raw stock to provide for appropriate location of the free loop which is to be located between the sprocket drives at the respective exposure stations but between the intermediate drive sprocket 150a and the exposure-station drive sprocket upstream thereof.

In providing free loop F as, for example, in FIG. 18, a minimum distance between sprocket 326a and drive 150a will avoid any possibility of damaging the negative or raw stock due to the lateral shifting of one of the materials. This minimum can be defined in terms of vertical axes passing through elements 150a and 326a between which axes the distance should be at least about to 10 and /2 inches. The material passing between these axes should then be of a minimum length of about to 16 inches.

FIG. 23 generalizes on the overall approach of the invention and illustrates the ultimate use to which the invention is put.

In FIG. 23, the raw stock-negative arrangement is indicated at 500, this arrangement being displaceable in one or the other of two directions (shown by arrow 502) between negative film feed or take-up (handling) stations 504 and 506 and through exposure stations 508 and 510 between which relative lateral shifting of the negative and raw stock is effected to provide for a plurality of printings as discussed above. Sound tracks may be provided as discussed above.

Exposed raw stock is taken from station 504 or 506 as the case may be and transferred to developer 512 which is of conventional construction.

The developed raw stock is indicated at 514. It has thereon two parallel and identical prints which are separated from each other by slitting such as by a slitter diagrammatically indicated at 516.

The two separate prints 518 and 520 are separately mounted or stored such as by being individually wound on reels 522 and 524. They may then be separately and independently used as in projectors 526 and 528.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 17-21 requires that when fresh raw stock is added to the machine that this raw stock be manually threaded on the sprocket drive 158 and that a manual operation of a linkage be effected to apply proper tension to the negative and raw stock, depending upon the direction in which printing is to be effected. The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate the use of a sprocket which does not require three rows of sprocket teeth and in which the sprocket is shifted axially to accommodate the change of direction in printing.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 24, there is shown a sprocket 600 driven by a rotatable shaft 602 through the intermediary of a key 604. The sprocket 600 has a row of sprocket teeth 606 and a second row of sprocket teeth 608.

Extending axially from the sprocket 600 is a collar 610 which surrounds the free end of shaft 602.

In the shaft 602 are provided two annular grooves 612 and 614 which are selectively engaged by a spring loaded ball 616 which engages in the groove aligned therewith.

Considering a printing operation from right to left in FIG. 24, the raw stock 618a moves in the direction indicated by arrow 620. Approaching the sprocket 600, the raw stock 618a is relieved of tension in the form of a free loop as has been indicated above with respect to FIGS. 17 and 18. Thereafter, the raw stock is subjected to tension and passes through the sprocket of the next exposure station (not shown).

As has been noted hereinabove, the shifting from one lane to another of the raw stock is effected through a free loop before engagement by sprocket 150a with the raw stock traveling, on the other hand, a straight path under tension after passing through sprocket 150a to the next sequential sprocket drive of the next sequential exposure station. To enable this to be accomplished, there need be a proper setting of the rollers, such as, for example, the rollers 340a and 339a of FIGS 17 and 18. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the setting of the rollers is effected automatically by means of a microswitch 622 which laterally engages the edge of the raw stock when the sprocket is manually displaced along the shaft 602 until the ball 616 comes into engagement with the grooves 614. The microswitch 622 is coupled to a system of relays (not shown) which in turn control the linkage system, such as is illustrated in FIG. 6, for purposes of applying tension or removing tension selectively from the negative and raw stock, according to the direction of printing.

In the above embodiment of the invention, the sprocket 600 is manually displaced along the shaft 602 in axial direction until the ball 616 comes into engagement with either groove 612 or groove 614. This control can of course be effected in other ways.

In FIG. 25 the shifting is effected with respect to the negative 630 which is shifted through the positions 630a for reversing direction of printing. The sprocket 632 in this case is provided with a single row of sprocket teeth 634 in view of the fact that the negative has but a single row 636 of sprocket holes.

The embodiment of FIG. 25 is in other respects like that of FIG. 24, having a collar 638 thereon in which is supported the ball 644 engaging annular grooves. At the same time this embodiment of the invention also comprises a relay 622, the function of which is to control the application of tension selectively to the negative and raw stock in the manner which has been described above.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations of the structure set forth hereinabove. These modifications and variations will not depart from the scope of the invention if defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising two spaced photographic exposure means, negative film means operatively disposed with rescect to said exposure means and each adapted for operating selectively as a supply or takeup means whereby the negative film can be run in in opposite directions through the exposure means in sequence, raw stock supply means to feed raw stock in juxtaposition to the negative film in each said exposure means to otbtain two identical exposures for each run of the negative film from a supply to a takeup means, means to develop said exposures, means to store the resulting prints for separate and independent use, the drive means including a drive sprocket between said exposure means, said drive sprocket including three axially spaced rows of sprocket teeth whereby raw stock with three rows of sprocket holes can be selectively engaged.

2. A method comprising running a negative film having a sequence of frames thereon from a first to a second handling station, running raw stock into juxtaposition with the negative film at two exposure stations and exposing the raw stock to light through the negative film at the respective exposure stations, developing the thusly exposed raw stock to form two identical prints, and separately mounting the prints for separate and independent use, the raw stock having a width at least twice the effective width of the negative film and the raw stock and negative film being shifted laterally relative to each other between the exposure stations so that the negative is printed on two adjacent strips on the raw stock.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the raw stock is brought into contact with the negative film at said exposure stations.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the negative film is transported from the first to second station with a continuous motion. 

